Wristwatches can make thoughtful gifts to mark major milestones in a student’s journey through academia. I’ve compiled my top watch recommendations for students at various stages, from affordable high school grad options to aspirational watches fitting for a college or post-graduate.
Best Watches Under $250 for High School Grads
High school graduation calls for an affordable, durable watch suitable for an active teen’s lifestyle. Here are some of my top picks under $250:
Casio Duro
- Rugged 200m diver watch design
- Reliable Japanese quartz movement
- 40mm stainless steel case
- Rotating dive bezel
- Classic budget dive watch
- Only ~$50
Swatch Jellyfish
- Fun transparent plastic case
- Iconic Swatch style from the 1980s
- Swiss quartz movement
- Water resistant to 30m
- Cool throwback under $100
Casio G-Shock GA2100
- Nearly indestructible rugged build
- 200m water resistance rating
- Analog-digital display
- Cool octagonal bezel shape
- Loved by watch enthusiasts
- Around $100
Orient Neo 70s Chronograph
- Retro chronograph design
- Solar-powered Japanese quartz
- 41mm stainless steel case
- Tachymeter scale on bezel
- Under $250 from Japan
Braun BN0032
- Bauhaus minimalist design
- Durable black plated case
- Leather strap with deployment clasp
- Embodies Braun’s industrial style
- Clean and accessible for ~$160
Best Watches $500-$1000 for College & Trade School Grads
Moving into higher education calls for an upgrade in quality while retaining affordability. These watches around the $500-$1000 range check those boxes:
Seiko 5 Sports Field Watch
- Classic 36mm stainless steel case
- Display caseback showing movement
- Hand-winding and hacking 4R36 caliber
- 50m water resistant
- Versatile for under $300
Laco Augsburg 39mm
- Historically inspired German flieger watch
- Classic pilot watch dial design
- Automatic Miyota 8215 movement
- 39mm case wears well for most
- $400 for an iconic flieger watch
Citizen Chandler Eco-Drive
- Solar-powered Japanese quartz
- Field watch style in 37mm size
- 100m water resistance
- Legible bold dial design
- Only ~$200 for a solid field watch
Seiko 5 Sports GMT
- 42.5mm stainless case with display back
- Rotating GMT bezel
- Hacking and hand-winding 4R34 caliber
- Hard to beat the value under $500
Orient Mako 3
- 200m water resistant dive watch
- 41.5mm stainless case, 120 click bezel
- In-house automatic F6922 movement
- Sapphire crystal and solid end links
- Priced around $315
Tissot PRX Chronograph
- Integrated bracelet sports watch
- Chronograph model with tachymeter scale
- Fully integrated automatic chrono movement
- 100m water resistance
- Retails around $1850
Best Watches For $1000-$4000 To Mark Graduation
Finally, watches in the $1000-$4000 range make excellent heirloom-quality graduation gifts or personal milestones.
Certina DS Action Diver (Titanium)
- 300m water resistant Swiss dive watch
- 38mm titanium case and bracelet
- Superluminova on hands and dial
- Powermatic 80 movement
- A special watch for around $1500
Junghans Max Bill Automatic
- Iconic Bauhaus design
- 34mm stainless case, domed plexiglass crystal
- Hand-winding Swiss automatic movement
- Leather strap with ardillon buckle
- Classically styled for ~$1200
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
- 40mm integrated steel sports watch
- Water resistant to 100m
- Updated automatic Swiss movement
- Sapphire crystal with AR coating
- A modern icon for under $1000
Oris Big Crown Pointer Date
- Vintage-inspired pilot’s watch
- 40mm stainless case with domed sapphire crystal
- Pointer date complication
- Automatic Swiss movement
- Starts around $1900
Cartier Tank Must Solar Beat
- Iconic Cartier Tank design with roman numerals
- Solar-powered Swiss quartz movement
- 18k yellow gold case measuring 29.5 x 22mm
- Alligator leather strap
- Classic luxury watch for $3700
Tudor Black Bay 36
- Iconic dive watch design in a 36mm case
- In-house automatic MT5402 movement
- Waterproof to 200m
- Domed sapphire crystal
- Starts around $3600
A quality wristwatch commemorates monumental life achievements. For students and grads at various budget levels, these watches combine meaningful designs with practicality for daily wear. The investment will remind them of their accomplishments for years to come.